Cup feed sewing machine



March 24, 1953 M. cooK 2 CUP FEED SEWING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MARTIN L. COOK ATTORNEY.

" 7 Filed June 5, 1951 .March 24, 1953 M- L. COOK 2,632,412

cu FEED SEWING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MARTIN L. COOK ATTORNEY.

' March 24, 1953. M. L. COOK 2,632,412

CUP FEED SEWING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.4

INVEN TOR.

MARTIN L. COOK ATTORNEY.

March 24, 1953 Filed June 5, 1951 M. cooK 2,632,412

CUP FEED SEWING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

INVENTOR.

MARTIN L. COOK ATTORNEY.

March 24, 1953 I M. L. COOK 2,632,412 2 CUP FEED SEWING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet, 5

FIG. l3

INVEN TOR.

MARTIN L. COOK ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 24, I953 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE CUP FEED SEWING MACHINE Application June 5, 1951, Serial N 0. 230,026

20 Claims.

This invention relates to uncurler guides of the type used on cup feed sewing machines employed in the seaming of hosiery and the like. These are adapted to support and guide the work as it is fed into the bite of the feed cups;

they serve also to uncurl the selvedges of the knit blank to present them in flattened condition to the stitch forming devices which produce an overedge seam along the butted edges. Normally the blanks are seamed in such a way as to place the seam on the inside of the finished stocking, the latter being turned inside-out after seaming. In this conventional or standard method the selvedges tend to curl outwardly when the blank is applied to the uncurler. Sometimes, however, the blank is seamed to provide the seam on the outside of the stocking and in such cases the selvedges are arranged to curl inwardly as the blank is applied to the uncurler. An insideout uncurler is then required. The present invention is applicable to both types of uncurler guides.

As heretofore constructed the work holding and guiding surfaces of the uncurler have terminated some distance forwardly of the bite of the feed cups so that it has been necessary for the operator to grip the end of the work just below the feed cups and pull it toward the bite of the latter in commencing a seaming operation on a new piece of work. It will be understood that in the seaming of full-fashioned hosiery the seam is started at the toe end of the blank and is formed along the bottom of the foot portion, then around the heel and then upwardly along the back of the leg portion. In pulling the toe portion of the -blank into the bite of the feed cups, as explained,

it has been found that variable results are produced as a result of the human factor involved in gauging the correct amount of force to be employed by the operator and in determining the correct point for the commencement of the seam. The thinness and stretchability of the material have made the production of uniform results extremely difficult. Frequently drop outs have occurred as a result of improper feeding of the work into the bite of the feed cups and pleating or other defects have occurred from the improper commencement of the seam.

In the use of the invention in connection with hosiery blanks which have been looped, uniform starting of the seam in relation to the loop line is insured. The tendency, which existed heretofore, of starting the seam too far ahead of the loop line, because of an upward pull on the toe of the blank as the operator has pulled it into the bite of the feed cups, has been eliminated.

The invention is also highly advantageous in connection with the seaming of loopless toe hosiery, interest in which is being revived because of the shortage of loopers and skilled operators therefor. It will be understood that loopless toe hosiery is produced without the necessity of a looping operation between the knitting of the blank and the formation of the seam along the foot and the back of the leg portion of the stocking. In the knitting of the blank the selvedges at the toe end are brought together along inwardly sloping lines to the base of a relatively narrow tip which is then formed by a short extension of the selvedges of the blank. As the blank is seamed to form a full-fashioned stocking, the tip is folded back into the foot of the stocking at the toe end and is incorporated in and concealed by the overedge seam. Unless due care is exercised, the pulling action by the operator, in the use of machines as previously constructed, has been found to pull the edges to be seamed out of position, with resultant dropouts at the start of the toe.

An important object of the present invention has been to so construct and arrange an uncurler guide for cup feed machines of the type employed in the seaming of hosiery that it enables the work blank to be presented to the feed cups in a definite predetermined manner with a minimum of eifort and exercise of skill and judgment on the part of the operator. The invention thus insures the production of uniform results in the seaming of hosiery blanks and the like without the exercise of extreme care and skill by the operator. Drop outs and other difficulties and defects arereduced to a minimum.

A further object of the invention, in its preferred form, has been to so construct and arrange the work guide and uncurler and related parts as to eliminate completely the necessity of manual pulling and feeding of the toe end of a hosiery blank into the bite of the feed cups. The arrangement is such that the blank may simply be applied to the uncurler in the conventional manner, while the latter is in its loading or work applying position, and the blank is .then automatically introduced into the bite of the feed cups in a definite, predetermined manner by the simple movement of the uncurler into its operative position, without the necessity of any further effort or the exercise of any special skill by the operator.

In attaining the foregoing objects, the invention involves a novel construction of the uncurler guide and the modification of various cooperating members to insure the proper introduction of the work at all times into the bite of the feed cups. Drop-outs, pleating and other difficulties and defects are thus substantially eliminated.

Another object has been to so construct certain needle guarding and stitch finger means, associated with the feed cups and stitch forming devices,'as to facilitate the proper delivery of a stockingblank to the stitching point.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the same, and certain suggested variations whichwill'now be given in conjunction with the'accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of a cup feed sewing machine embodying the invention, certain parts being'broken away;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view Lthrough the feed cup supporting structure, taken just above .the stitch finger and. looking down -.upon the feed cups; v

.Fig. 3 isa view similar to Fig. 2 with the stitch finger removed;

Fig.-4. is a side elevational viewof the uncurler guide of the invention shown in its operative relation to the inner feed cup; 7

.Fig. dis a detail view showing the lower portion of the uncurlerguide'with a workpiece applied thereto;

Fig.- 6 is adetail view showing the lower portion-of the uncurler guide in operative position in relationto the innerfeed cup, with the stitch finger shownin section;

.Fig. .7.is a detail view, partly in elevation and 'partlyin vertical section, showing the outer feed :cup. and the needle guard mounted therein;

.Fig. 8 is a bottomview of a stitch finger which may be employed in'connection with themi-vention;

Fig.8a is abottomview of -a modified form of vvstitch finger which may be employed;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational View of the uncurlerguide in operative relation toportions of =the. feed cups;

Fig. 10 .is a detail view, in perspective, of a -stitch finger supporting structure;

Fig. .11 is afragmentary view of the toe end .of :aloopless toe hosieryblank opened out;

. Figalla is a fragmentary view of .the toe por- .tion;.of ,the hosiery blank folded together .and .with an .oVeredge stitch applied to the edges :thereof;

.,Fig.;12 is a side view of the lower portionof .the center plate of the uncurler;

Fig..13 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified form of uncurler guide adapted for inside-out uncurling;

Fig. 14 .is a detail view, in side elevation of :the modified uncurlerguide of Fig. 13, a part be- ;ing broken away;

.Fig. :15 is a front elevational view of the modi- .fied uncurler guide; and

Eig. 16 .is abottom plan view of the modified 'unourler guide.

' l he invention has been illustrated as applied to -a cup 'feed sewing machine of the general type disclosed in the patents to .Rubel, et al. No. 2,043,711, granted June9, 1936, Hacklander No."2-,043,748, granted June 9, 1936, and Hacklander'No. 2,043,749, granted June.9, v1936.

Referring to Fig. l, the machine comprises a 'main frame 10, having an upwardly extending *s'tandard'adapted to be supported-by a table and having at its upper end a laterally extending *bracketarm ll. -*A*horizontally disposed;main

operating shaft I2 extends from front to rear of the vertical standard and is provided at its two ends, which project through the front and rear walls of the frame, with combined handwheels and pulleys 13 through which power may be supplied for the operation of the machine. Since the operating mechanism,. the stitch forming devices andthe means .for supporting and driving the feed cups do not form a part of the novel construction to be claimed herein, these .portions of the machine will be but briefly described.

.The stitch forming devices include a reciprocatory needledoar ".14 disposed horizontally and .arranged fort-reciprocation within a bearing sleeve I5 extending through a Wall of the main frame.

'iAneedle "lfiissuitably mounted on the needle this is mounted for oscillation with a rock Shaft 19, parallelwith theshait I11 andvjournalled'in a bearing sleeve 26 extending through .a wall of the machine frame. L'Ihearrangementarid operation of the .several .stitchjforming elements is such that a two-thread .overe'dge .stitch is formed. If desired, the .spreader ..mounted on the shaft lfimay bereplaced by athreadcarrying looper, so that-a threethread overedgestitch will be formed. Reference may .b.e .had to the Rubel, et al, and Hacklander:patentsabove-mentioned for a fuller disclosurerof-the.construction and operation of :the stitch forming. devices.

For advancing the work in relation to the stitch forming devices,-a,pair of feed cups :2 I and .22 is provided. The upper portions of'these feed: cups .are preferably in theformof-serrated rims which cooperate and serve, :upon intermittent rotation .of the feed cups, to grip and advance the work. If desired, :the rims of :the feed cups may be pro- 'vided with other vforms ,of ,fabric gripping surfaces. :It .will be understood that thestitch forming devices serve to produceanoveredge:stitch "justabove theupperiedges of the;rimsof1theeed :cups inthe regiontof theitbite of thesezcups. @Feed cup 2! is seouredto the 10WBI"Te1Id;Of3a.lSh2 ft{23 journalled in asleeveiZfi, .whileifeedcup :22 18158- cured to the lower end'ofa shaft 25:journalled in a bearing sleeve '26. arranged tobe driven intermittently by :iconnections from the main driveshaft l2 'ofithech'a'ra'c .The shafts 23rande2-5 are te-r disclosed in the above mentionediRubeL et a1.

and Hacklander patents. Bearing'sleeve"Z4:-'for the outer feed cup is arranged to 5 be tilted outwardly in the'manner disclosed in-said patents for carrying the outer feed cup-out of engagement with the inner feed .cupzto facilitate the'introduction and removal of Work. Puller meansmay be provided to assist the feed cups in advancing-the work properly through and beyond the stitch In Figs. .2 .and v3 there is illusplateyagainst the periphery of thetouter feed .cup.

Other puller means than that disclosed may be employed, if desired.

Within the outer feed cup 2! there is mounted a needle guard 36 having a passage 30a aligned with the needle M5 for receiving and guiding the latter in the course of its reciprocation. This needle guard is secured by screws 3i to a radially extending flange 32 at the lower end of the bear-v ing sleeve 24. Reference will be made hereinafter to certain novel details of construction of this needle guard.

A lug 33 which extends downwardly from the bracket arm I l, in the region of the shaft 25 (Fig. 1), is arranged to support the structure illustrated in Fig. 10. The latter comprises an angle member 34 having elongated openings 35 for receiving screws (not shown) by which the angle member may be adjustably secured to the lug 33. To the under side of the angle member 34 there is secured a slide 31 by means of screws 38. This provides for slight adjustment toward and away from the shaft 25. Slide 3'! has a' downwardly extending part 39 provided in its forward face, adjacent its lower end, with a channel which 'receives'a shank portion 4|] of a needle guard and stitch finger supporting member 4!. The shank 49 is adapted for slight longitudinal adjustment in the channel and is secured in desired position by a screw 42. The outer end of member 4! is of arcuate form, corresponding with the curvature of the rim of the feed cup, and has a radially projecting flange 43 which extends over the top of the rim of the inner feed cup. This flange, however, terminates slightly inwardly of the outer periphery of the rim. A finger-like extension 44 of member 4| projects rearwardly beyond the line of reciprocation of the needle and is provided with a notch or groove .5 for the passage of the needle. Screws 46 (Fig. 2) cooperating with threaded openings 4511 (Figs. 3 and serve to secure a stitch finger 41 to the member 4|. This stitch finger may be of the type shown in detail in Fig. 8, or it may be of the modified form shown in Fig. Be. It is provided with a pointed finger 48 disposed directly above the rims of the feed cups along the line of feed of the work through the bite of the feed cups. As will be understood, the over-edge stitches are first formed about the finger 43 and are fed off of the finger as the work progresses.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, there is shown the means for supporting the novel uncurler guide forming an important part of the invention. This is mounted on the overhanging bracket arm of the machine frame in any suitable way. In the drawings the uncurler is illustrated as being mounted in accordance with the teachings of the patent to Kucera No. 2,292,762, granted August 11, 1942. For full details as to the mounting of the uncurler, reference may be had to said Kucera patent and also to the patent to Hacklander No. 2,131,007, granted September 20, 1938. Briefly, the mounting means comprises a vertically movable slide 50 retained by a pair of gibs or guide elements 5! and 52 secured to the forward face of the frame. The slide and the guide elements may suitably be formed with complemental bevelled surfaces. A spring 53 (Fig. 4) normally urges the slide downwardly until the lower face of a knurled nut member 54 engages the top of a stop finger 55 secured to the frame. Member 54 may be adjusted to any desired position along a screw stud 56 projecting upwardly from the slide 50 and thus predetermining the normal position of the slide and the parts carried .75

thereby. As shown in Fig. 1, the member 54 may suitably be provided with indicia cooperating with an index mark on the finger. 55 to indicate the normal position of the slide 50. The slide may be lifted against the action of the spring 53 under the control of the operator of the sewing machine. For this purpose, a lever 51 pivoted at 58 on the frame is adapted to be rocked clockwise by a downward pull on a chain 59 or other connection. from a foot treadle or knee press, At its opposite end the lever is slotted to co+ operate with a screw 60 projecting from the slide- 50. Rocking of the lever 51 in a clockwise direc tion will therefore cause lifting of the slide 50. A knurled nut BI adjustably mounted on the screw stud serves to limit the extent of upward movement of the slide in response to operation of the treadle'or knee press. As disclosed in the Kucera patent above mentioned, a ball detent or the like may be provided to prevent accidental displacement of thenut 6!. It will be understood that the lifting of the slide, by theopera tion of the lever 51, will normally be made to take place as the heel portion of the stocking blank is brought to the stitching point. This is for the purpose of forming a somewhat deeper seam around the heel portion of the stocking. The lower end of the slide 50 carries a split clamping collar 62 adapted to receive and retain a bearing sleeve 63 which serves to support'a rock shaft 64 having a detent controlling arm 65. Be tween the shaft 64 and the bore of the sleeve 63 is mounted a hollow rock shaft 65 to one'end of which is secured a hub 67 of an uncurler support. A downwardly extending flange 68 integral with this hub is formed with a transverse channel ar: ranged to receive a rib 69 on a central support member 10 of the uncurler. A pair of screws H may be provided to secure the member-10 to the extension 68. The arrangement is preferably such that member 10 may be adjusted slightly in a direction toward and away from the bite of the feed cups. To the lower end of the member '10 there is secured, by welding or the like, a center plate 12, certain details of which will be herein.- after described. The lower end of member IO-is also provided with laterally extending earsor bosses 13 which provide bearings for pins 14 car.- rying clamping'elements 15 and 16 of the 1111:- curler. These clam-ping element have, at their lower ends, work-engaging or boot -portion 1;! and I8 arranged to hold the upper edges, of the work blank against'the opposite faces of the cen; ter plate 12. A spring 19, passing through an opening in the member 10 and seated at its opposite ends in pockets formed in the element 'lii and 16, serves to urge these elements yieldingly into the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 9., A guide pin 8 I, which may suitably be formed as two interconnected, screw-threaded parts. is secured to the center plate 12 and projects laterally there'- from at both sidesthrough cooperating openings provided in the work engaging ortions 11 and 18 of the clamping elements. As will beunderstood, the guide pin 8| serves to locate the line of movement of the upper edges of the work.

Referring now to Fig. 4, which illustrates an uncurler having the conventional action, the boot portion 71 of the clamping element 15 is provided with an inclined upper edge 82 of a form adapted to produce the desired uncurling action. Its surface is preferably of a scalloped configuration and slopes downwardly at a slight angle from the surface of the center plate 72 toward the outer .face of the boot 11. Boot 18 is of similar form.

made to extend slightly beyond the axis of reciprocation of the needle.

The construction shown in Figs. 1 to 12, in-

clusive, is adapted for the handling of hosiery blanks which when folded for seaming present an outside curl, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In Figs. 13 to 16 there is shown a modified form of the uncurler guide adapted for the performance of inside-out-uncurling of the upper edge of the hosiery blank. It will be understood that the machine as a whole is the same as in the first embodiment and the dilference between the two constructions is simply in the form of the work engaging portions of the uncurler. modified uncurler guide has a central support member 90, similar to member 10, provided with laterally extending ears at its lower end forming bearings for pivot pins 9| carried byclamp ing elements 92 and 93 having their upper ends yieldingly urged apart by a spring 9 3. To the lower end of the support member 90 there is also secured, by welding orthe like, a center plate 95' along the opposite faces of which the work.

isdrawn as it is advanced by the feed cups. Center plate 95 is of thicker construction than plate 12 of the first embodiment. It has a forwardly extending plough-like toe 96 and its upwardly and forwardly facing edge is preferably The forward end of the toe and the .upper.face

of the extension are provided with a groove which presents surfaces 98 and 99- (Fig. 15)

which slant downwardly and inwardly from the.

outer faces of the center plate toward its median plane. faces is such .as to effect the desiredinside-out uncurling action. The clamping elements have lower, forwardly extending boot portions Hill of the configuration best shown in Fig. 13, the inner faces of these portions conforming with the cooperating faces of the center plate. As best shown in Fig. 16, the center plate has outer faces, rearwardly of the toe 96, which are substantially fiat and parallel back to the points designated l! and from this point the outer faces are tapered inwardly at a small angle toward the rearmost extremity H12. A guide pin IE3 is carried by the center plate in the same manner as the guide pin 8| of the first embodiment and cooperates with suitable openings in the clamping elements in a region at which the outer faces of these-elements are sloped inward- 1y. along the lines 10d (Fig. 16), toward the center. plate. The rearward edge of the. center plate is. provided with a slot or channel H which extends downwardly and forwardly from itsv outer end, at a point substantially in line with the guide pin I03, to a point at its inner end which is below the guide pin, The lower edge of the slot is provided with a V-shaped groove which forms inwardly sloping surfaces meeting along a line I08 (Fig. 14) at the median plane of the center plate. This construction is such that the lower edge of the slot H05 will effect a second uncurling action upon the upper edge of the hosiery blank to offset any tendency of these edges to curl inwardly again in passing beneath the guide I03. Center plate 95 is provided with rearwardly extending prongs H11 and 108 which are similar to the prongs $3 and 8 of the first embodiment. In the use of the modified form of uncurler, a hosiery blank Hi9, which may, for example, be of the looped toe type having its selvedges curled inwardly, as indicated at H0 (Fig. 13) is applied Thus the.

The form and disposition of these surto the uncurler guide in the position shown. It.

will be understood that the uncurler guidewill have been shifted to its loading position whenthe new stocking blank is so applied to it. As the uncurler guide is shifted to its operative position the toe of the blank will be carried into thev bite of the feed cups and the loop line III will be presented correctly to the stitch forming de-.

vices for the commencement of the overedge seam.

While the invention has been disclosed in considerable detail in relation to a preferred embodiment of the same and various modifications have been suggested, it will be understood that other modifications and adaptations of the in-. vention may be made within the scope of the Either of the forms of un-.. curler illustrated'may be employed in the.'seaming of either looped toe. or loopless toe hosiery appended claims.

blanks. I

What I claim is: p 1. In a sewing machine having a 'pair'of horisaid plate having prongs projectingv from the.

rearward edge thereof toward the bite of the feed; cups, one of said prongs being above the upper. edge of the rims of said feed cups and another.

of said prongsbeing below said rims. W 2. In a sewing machine having a pair of edges thereof, said stitch forming devices includ ing a horizontally reciprocable needle, the combination of a swingable uncurler guide arranged for swinging movement substantially in the vertical plane containing the line of feed through said feed cups, said guide having a center plate and a pair of work clamping elements for yieldingly urging the WOIR against the oppositesides;

of said center plate, said plate having prongs projecting from the rearward edge thereof toward the bite of the feed cups, one than prongs being above the upper edge of the rims of/said. feedcups and another of said prongsTbe'ing' below said rims, one of saidprongs e xtcndingthrough the vertical plane containing said needle.

3. In a sewing machine having a pair of horizontally disposed feedcups with cooperating rims for advancing workand stitch forming devices for producing overedge stitches in the region of the bite of the feed cups and above the. upper edges thereof, said stitch forming devices including a horizontally reciprocable needle, the combination of a swingable uncurler guide are ranged for swinging movement substantially. in the vertical plane containing the line, of feed through said feed cups, said guide having a center plate and a pair of workclamping elements for yieldingly urging the work against the oppo-j site, sides of said center plate, said plate having prongs projecting from the rearward edge thereof toward the bite of .the feed cups, one of said prongs being above theup'per edge of the rims hori-... zontally disposed feed cups with cooperating .rims for advancing work-and stitch forming devicesl for producing overedge stitches in the region of. the bite of the feed cups and abovethe upper;

zontally'idi'spose'd feedjcups-with"cooperating rims'fi forgadv'ancirig HgWQIk and-stitch "forming devices for producing j'overedg'e stitches" in--th'e'regi nofy the bite of the feedcups and-above "the upper edges thereof,.the combination of a swingable'uncurler guide arranged for swinging movement substantialiyfi in the vertical" plane containing the line;ofjfeed'fthrough 'saidifefed icups, said-guide having a,"centerplate anda pair ofworkclampizig: elements: for yieldingly urging the WOIk" ag st "the Op osite; sidesgofjsaid icenter a-pl'ate; sai liailill j; prongs: projecting; from; the

rearwmed e. nereor w r ah i eomhere ii cups," one of said prongs'being above the upper: edge of the rims of said feed cups and another ased-p on s being belo sa dj s: said pron x dinsfl fis t d st n si r m' he: arm t edge of fthe main bodypfisaid centerjpli te.

r1 a sewing; machine having a pair of "hori-i zontally dis'posed' fedfcups'with'cooperating rims for advancing workand'stitch' forming devices for producing: overedge *stitchesin' the region'of "the" bite of the feed cups andfabove the'upperedges thereofyfthecombination of" ajswingable'un'curler gnide arrangedfor'swingingmovementsubstam ti'aliyin the 'vertiiial" plane icontainin'g'the li'neof fedfihrough saidfeed cups; said"guide ha-vinga" center mate and? a pair *of 'work=-"clamping= elements' 'for yieldingiymrgin'g' the workagainst the oppositesi'ds'of 'sa-idioenter piateysaid-plate hav-- ing jprongs projecting": from" the *rearward edge thereof toward the bite ofziithe'feed cups, one =of-' said prongs being above' th'eupper edge *OfEthe rimsofsaidfeedmups-andanother-of said prongs being belowwaidrims, said-*centerpiate having; uncurling edges: extending *upwardly and rearwardIy= from" a-'- point forwardly and below the upper edge rof theuppermost" of said prongs to a pointabove saidprongfi 6. Iri'a' sewing-machine =having a pair of h'ori'a zontaliyidisposed-feedcups with cooperating rims for 'advancirig-*work{ and stiteh *forming" devicesfor *producing overedge' stitchesinthe region of they-bite or-the feed cups and: above the upper edg'esthereoffthe combination'of'a'swingabl' un curler guidearranged; for swinging movement substantially-in: the vertical" 'pla-neijcontainingthe:

in'g; elements for yieldingly'" urging the work".

against;'{the;"opposite sides'of saidcenterplate; saidcenteripiate having forwardly extending sur f aces arranged" to funcurlfinwardly' roiled edges of said work andhaving additional surfaces jadjacentfthe rearward'iedgeof said plate for efiect i in'gasecondtuncurli'ng jaction'on 'saidrolled edges of the-work; and said' plate having prongs :pro jectihg frjomi the rearward edge thereof -"toward the bite; of thejfeedc 00135,).0116'0)? "said "prongs beinglabovethe upper: edge of "the rims of said feedgcl ps, and another of 'saidiprongs being be low'said rims.

7i Inasewingmachinehaving a pair of nor iz'ontalli disposed reed; cups withcooperating rimsgfdrg advancingnwork, stitch. forming devices including, a. horizontally. reciprocatory, needle for forming g, overredg'e stitches. above i said". feed cups in the regi on-- ofrl'th'e r bite thereof, theicomlbination. ofra needl'elguard; supportedvwithinuone of said feed cups and extending over the upper edge thereof; on "both the work 5 receiving-- and the work discharge sideOf 'said cupsysaid guard having a passage therein =alined-with the path of "reciprocation 'ofthe need1e',-- a. stitch finger"- positionedabove saidcups v in" the region" of? theabite thereof, a member mounted in the otherof *said feed cups *for sup-portingsaid stitch finger, said member extending" over--the rimof said'f other 'cup' forwardly and rearwardi'y of the path of "saidneedle "and having its outer end curved to;.f aciiitate passage "of thefwork 'into: thei-bitefi ofisaidfeed cups;

Ina-" w ach e Yine-va airsofhor ir'ontal-ly disposed feed {cups withcooperating;

rims-"for -adyancing work, stitch :forming devic inclu'ding a ;ho r izontally reciprocatory'; needle-dorsfQI'IIIiIlgLOYGIBdQ'B stitches above a-said f'e'ed' cups inf the J region 1 .of the bite;thereof;" the gcombina tion; o i-"aistitch finger"positioned'fabove -sai 011135.111: the region" of ithe A bite 'thereofga mem ber mountdfwithin" one :or-"said *cups; forsupeporting said" stitch finger," said member extendingiover'the rim "ofsaid pcupjat least forwardlyi oijijthe path "otsaid needl'e 'an'di h'aving*it-sgoutrf end curved to" conform" with the-* curvature: of ii sa'id'fcup; j and" the 'upper edge -of-said curved end' surface.,being-'relieved a region'giorwardii' of. the, path} OfLSai'd' 'needle"to'facilitateirpassage of the work into the 'bitofsaidfe'edcups:

7 9;" ln a sewing machine "having a -pairf of hon-' iz'ontally 'disposed"feed, cups with cooperating; 'I'imSif61" advancing work; stitch forming devices:

including at horizontally reciprocatory needle; for, forming over-edge jstit'ches above" said' feeds cups in, the region of "the. bite thereof, the com bination of," a needle" guard" support-edf'withim one of said j feed cups and: extending' -o ver -the upper edge th'ereoffon both *the work receiv'- ing; andjthe work discharge -side ofj said cups,- saidjguard havingapassage .thereirr alined-with the path of reciprocation; of the needle; a stitch" fingerrposition'ed,iabove saidcups inthemegiorr of .the bite thereofjga; member mounted-in:- the other of saidffeedcups for supporting 'said stitch, finger, said. member extending ;over;'th"e- 'rim of said (other cup forwardly and rearwardly' oifthepath of saidjine-edleaandfhavingjts'outer end ourvedito; coniorm with'l the curvature'foi" saidbup, ,the .upper edges. :of, the curred fen: H faces of 'said guard gianjd said member; being re li'eved in,a,;region forwardly;of'-'the; path OffSaid" needle ;to facilitate passage? of "the workiinto :th'e. bite of said i feed cups; .and a swing-able unecurler guide arranged for. swinging movement substantially in"; the 1 vertical. plane containing thezline 0f.-feed through; said""fe'edf cups, said' guide vhaving ;a center. plate and a pair of work clamping elements: for a yieldingly urging the work i against the opposite sides of said'icenten plate'a,v said plate h'avingmrongs projecting from" the, rearward edge thereof toward the bite -of thecfe'edscups, onewoffsaid "prongs being above thecup-per edgeoffthe rims ofisaidifeedcups and another of, said 'i pron s, being below "said IIIIIS 10." In a sewingmachine having a "pair-of "hor izontally, disposed feed; cups with cooperating rims ror advancing; work'iand stitch forming-grievi'ces. for. producing; overedge' stitches irrthe regioniot the bite of "fthe fed .cup's and: above, the upper edges thereof, the combination" of-a swingable uncurler guide arranged for swinging movement substantially in the vertical plane containing the line of feed through said feed cups, said guide having a center plate and a pair of work clam-ping elements for yieldingly urging the work against the opposite sides of said center plate, said plate having 9, prong projecting from the rearward edge thereof toward the bite of the feed cups and beneath the work engaging rims thereof to a point rearwardly of the bite of said feed cups.

11. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups which comprise a center plate disposed substantially in a plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said center plate having a prong extendin rearwardly to a point beyond the bite of said feed cups.

12. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said center plate having a plurality of prongs extending rearwardly from the rearward edge thereof to points adjacent the bite of said feed cups.

13. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with cooperating work engaging rims which comprise a center plate disposed substantially in a plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said center plate having a pair of prongs extending rearwardly from the rearward edge thereof to points adjacent the bite of said feed cups, one of said prongs being disposed at one side of said rims and the other at the opposite side thereof.

14. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with cooperating work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said center plate having a pair of prongs extending rearwardly from the rearward edge thereof to points adjacent the bite of said feed cups, one of said prongs being disposed at one side of said rims and the other at the opposite side thereof, one of said prongs extending to a point on the discharge side of said feed cups.

15. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said center plate having a pair of prongs extending rearwardly therefrom to points adjacent the bite of said feed cups, one of said prongs being disposed below the level of said rims and the other above the level of said rims.

16. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a vertical plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, a work guiding pin projecting laterally from said plate at each side thereof above'said rims of the feed cups, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said plate having prongs extending? rearwardly therefrom toward the bite of the feed cups beyond the rearward edges of said clamping elements, one of said prongs being beneath the level of said rims and another being above the level of said rims.

17. An uncurler guide for a sewing having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a vertical plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, a work guiding pin projecting laterally from said plate at each side thereof above said rims of the feed cups, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said plate having prongs extending rearwardly therefrom toward the bite of the feed cups beyond the rearward edges of said clamping elements, one of said prongs being heneath the level of said rims and another being above the level of said rims, said prong above the level of said rims having its upper edge substantially at the level of the bottom of said guide pin.

18. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a vertical plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, a work guiding pin projecting laterally from said plate at each side thereof above said rims of the feed cups, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said plate having forwardly extending inclined surfaces arranged to effect an inside-out uncurling action upon the upper edge of the work, and said plate having prongs extending rearwardly therefrom toward the bite of the feed cups beyond the rearward edges of said clamping elements, one of said prongs being beneath the level of said rims and another being above the level of said rims.

19. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a vertical plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, a work guiding pin projecting laterally from said plate at each side thereof above said rims of the feed cups, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said plate having inclined surfaces both in advance of said guide pin and in rear thereof for effecting an inside-out uncurling action upon the upper edge of the work, and said plate having prongs extending rearwardly therefrom toward the bite of the feed cups beyond the rearward edges of said clamping elements, one of said prongs being beneath the level of said rims and another being above the level of said rims.

20. An uncurler guide for a sewing machine having a pair of feed cups with horizontally disposed work engaging rims which comprises a center plate disposed substantially in a vertical plane tangent to the feed cups at the bite thereof, a work guiding pin projecting laterally from said plate at each side thereof above said rims of the feed cups, and a pair of clamping elements for retaining the work against the opposite faces of said plate, said plate having flat, substantially parallel faces on its two sides and said elemachine 16 mentsmawing: fOI'WflISi'lEfiXflQIJ-dihg inclinechsur. REEERENCES CITED. fanesmflangeiitoiefiectan'?outside'in uncurlmg" The following references; are? of .rrecordzzinzthe? action:umnzthe;uppeercedgesvofrthezwork; said of this mutant::

piait'eghavi'ng-gpronge:extending reajrwardly there-- from;toward the bitetof the-feedcupsbeyondr 5' UNITED STATES PATENTS earwaltdzedgesuofsaidi clamping e1ements,- Number Name Date.

onemfjsa-id;prongsybeinglbeneaththe-1eve1;of, 2,252,266 Liuzzi "Aug, 12,119.41 saiflegrims am}; another: beingaibove the .-1eve1 of said irims. 

